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Robert Bennett (captkiddeo)

I recently pulled Ambush out of the depths of my game closet to give it another go (seeing how it's been 20-some years since I played it last and can't remember any of the mission details). I had a situation where I wasn't quite sure how to figure the right terrain modifiers for fire combat.

Consider soldiers A and S in this picture (sorry for the not-so-great photo, but I think it's good enough to see the situation). A is outside the building at a window - we'll assume he's standing - and S is in the building but not adjacent to the window. We'll assume he's standing as well.

My question is, what fire modifiers are applied to fire between these two? Conceptually it seems like A should have the advantage over S here because he's at the window and can use it for cover (even though he's outside) whereas S has no cover. But by the text of the Fire Combat Modifiers Chart it looks like S would fall under "Interior: through aperture adjacent to firer" category and get a -1 on fire against him from A.

Going the other way, S firing at A, the chart would seem to say that A would just get the benefit of the terrain in his hex (Cover) since he is not in the interior of the building. But, as I said, it seems like A should gain protection from the window here just as if he were inside the building and S were outside, since he "owns" the window, so to speak.

How would you guys play this?

Also, a related LOS question - if A is crouching can he see S? I know that if S were in the adjacent hex inside the building the answer would depend on S's stance, but what about in this case?

My question is, what fire modifiers are applied to fire between these two? Conceptually it seems like A should have the advantage over S here because he's at the window and can use it for cover (even though he's outside) whereas S has no cover. But by the text of the Fire Combat Modifiers Chart it looks like S would fall under "Interior: through aperture adjacent to firer" category and get a -1 on fire against him from A.

Going the other way, S firing at A, the chart would seem to say that A would just get the benefit of the terrain in his hex (Cover) since he is not in the interior of the building. But, as I said, it seems like A should gain protection from the window here just as if he were inside the building and S were outside, since he "owns" the window, so to speak.

- Brian

Looking at the Fire Combat Modifiers Chart I think you are right that the advantage is with soldier "S". There seems to be no advantage for having the window adjacent to you. The rules do not say much about the modifiers except to use the modifiers that apply. The good thing about Ambush is that you can house rule this which will apply to both sides so you are not gaining too much of an advantage with the exception that you expect the Germans to appear in cover, especially buildings. You can house rule this by simply removing the word "Interior" on the two aperture modifiers.

The irony of this situation is that soldier S, depending on his weapon, could get a massive +4 bonus for firing at the wall as opposed to firing through the window. He therefore has a much better option than soldier A.

"Hey, Joe! Got any live ones!?", (but Joe had no grenades). The tank rumbled nearer. Johnny stuffed explosives into his gloves, burrowed deep in the muck and waited; then deftly slapped them into a greasy tread axle and spun for cover; snap-firing...

Agree with the others regarding the fire modifiers.

IIRC, S can see A crouching at the window aperture only if S is standing.